A major allegation against the Yunus government, Awami League Hindu leader Prolay Chaki died in custody; family raises serious questions

News Topical, Digital Desk : Prolay Chaki, a renowned Bangladeshi musician and cultural affairs secretary of the Awami League's Pabna district unit, has died in police custody. Chaki died of a heart attack at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital around 9:15 pm on January 11. He was lodged in the Pabna district jail and was referred first to Pabna Sadar Hospital and then to Rajshahi after his health deteriorated.

The family and Awami League supporters allege that the death was not a natural death, but the result of negligence and torture. They say Chaki suffered from pre-existing heart conditions, diabetes, and high blood pressure, but was denied proper medical treatment or access to a CCU in prison. Son Sunny Chaki said his father was kept in a prison cell, even though he needed specialized care.

Was the arrest made in a false case?

Prolay Chaki was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) police at his home in Pabna on December 16, 2025. The case was related to an alleged attack on the Students Against Discrimination movement. Awami League activists call the case a complete fabrication and an act of political revenge. They say that many leaders like Chaki are being jailed without any solid evidence.

Chaki was a popular singer in the 1990s. He performed regularly on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and, along with his brother Moloy Chaki, was active in the cultural field. He also worked closely with the Awami League in politics. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief from musical and political circles alike, with many prominent artists expressing their condolences.

Rising number of deaths in custody

This is not the first case. Awami League supporters claim that the number of deaths in custody has risen sharply since the interim government of Muhammad Yunus came to power. As of January 3, 41 party leaders and activists had reportedly died in police or prison custody. With the death of Prolay Chaki, this number has increased further. The party alleges that such cases are occurring almost every month.

The Awami League has called this a systematic conspiracy. They say that torture, denial of medical treatment, and mental and physical abuse have become commonplace in prisons. In many cases, deaths are attributed to heart attacks or chronic illnesses, but families claim they are murders. The party has also questioned human rights organizations for their silence on these incidents.

Read More: Will the US annex Greenland? Trump's path cleared, bill introduced in US Congress